Montessorium Apps

Thanks to the tip from SwissMiss I bought this app called Intro to Letters by Montessorium yesterday for my iphone and three-year-old to use. It is a real breath of fresh air to come across educational programs that are so impeccably well-designed like this one. What a gorgeous app for kids! Montessorium also created an Intro to Math app and there is more to come - including a moveable alphabet app with sweet illustrations, yippee!

La cerise sur le gâteau

Lots of adorable stuff at the French shop La cerise sur le gâteau.

(photos by Coco Amardeil)

Inspired by Yellow...

Feeling the sunshine love today! Hope you all had a lovely weekend.

Giraffe shelf
Hello
Rustic Yellow Tart
Dafodil Alphabet by Vladimir Koncar
Fendi Clutch

Paper Animal Puppets

To say our daughter is obsessed with all things related to animals would be an understatement. We are at the point where she is switching between acting out (with noises) a bear, peacock, and tiger all in about five minutes. (I am still trying to figure out if this is normal for a three year old -- do your kids do this?) These gorgeous Paper Animal puppets by Hong Kong based artist Furze Chan that I spotted in lmnop would be right up her alley, because not only does she love animals -- but also puppet shows. I am adding them all to my wish list pronto. You can find them at Little Paper Planes, but be sure to take a look at all of Furze's work on her website --it is all so beautiful!

Pajama Monsters

These craftily handmade Pajama Monsters are very adorable. I got to see lil' Stinky in person, and he is even more charming in real life! The monster called, 'Nipper' is pretty darn cute too. Find other varieties of Pajama Monsters here.

(Thanks Megan)

Wee See

The Wee See DVDs are simply beautiful and hands down the best children's exploratory sensory experience that I've come across. My three-year-old daughter is captivated by the well-thought out and curated black and white visuals, and begs to watch how the animated shapes are created over and over again. I enjoy the fact that they allow kids to have an active imagination, aren't overstimulating and 'in your face' with wacky sounds and flashy colors, and are right up any design respecting parent's alley.



These DVDs are definitely top notch -- and very impressive, even going to the Wee See website is an experience in itself. It is very well designed, and gives you a glimpse into the Wee See world. Rolyn Barthelman and the creative team including singer/songwriter Tim DeLaughter, who are also fathers, did a wonderful job. Hope to see more from them!

Learn more about the DVDs here.

(Thank you Rolyn!)

Noro

Loving this new to me French line called Noro which means "little flower of Madagascar" designed by the Parisian fashion designer Claire LeFort. They have collections for kids and women, and some of the kid's line can be found at Little Fashion Gallery.

(photos by Gretchen Easton)

Stella McCartney for Gap

Here are my favorite looks from the new Stella McCartney for Gap Kids collection. A few others I wanted to add -- but they sold out way too quick!

Sponsor Highlight : Polarn O. Pyret

I am really excited to introduce sponsor Polarn O. Pyret! They are a company from Sweden that has been producing high quality clothing since 1976 and their clothing is a staple in almost every Swedish household. Polarn O. Pyret is accessible online and to the U.S. and is really known for their lovely collection of stripes and their incredible outwear line, and after seeing a few items in person I am sold -- their quality is really top notch.

(items shown above : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 )

If you would like to become a Black Eiffel sponsor, email blackeiffel@gmail.com for more information. Thanks.

Maan - kid's fashion

I can't get over how adorable this Belgium Maan line is. Aren't these well styled get-ups incredibly cute? I'd wear them too. There seems to be a lot more girl selections, but I threw in a fun little boys outfit on the lower right.

crewcuts holiday

Speaking of J.Crew have you seen the j'dorable crewcuts holiday catalog. Very cute and of course, impeccably styled and photographed.

Gift guide for kids

1: The Ocean $15.99
2:Wooden Alphabet Blocks $19.99
3: Corella Clutching Toy $14.39
4: Kaleidoscope Kit $14
5: Slinky $7.95
6: Tic-Tac-Toe $12.95
7: Superhero in a box $22
8 Pirate Supply Kit $28
9:Animal Domino $23.56



10: Kid's Art Jar $29
11: Alphabeasties $19.99
12: Giant Play and Learn Book $19.99
13: Vegetables by Sara Anderson $8.95 Fruit By Sara Anderson $8.95
14: 50 Piece Colorful Wooden Block Set $29
15: Young Artist Learn to Paint Set $16
16: Eco Playdough Set $20
16: Art Kit $28
18: Bingo $16.00

19:Fruit Teethers & Tote $30
20:Kid's Yoga Matching Game $20
21: Wooden Book - Things That Go $12.00
22:Wooly Wonders $30
23:Next Generation Lunch Boxes $30
24:Little Drum $23
25:Wooden Block Puzzle $12.95
26:Kids Knitting Set and Basket $29

27:The Original Colorforms Set $9.99
28:Julie Morstad ABC Flashcards $11.95
29:Creature Floor Puzzles $16.47
30:Wee See dvd : A gentle introduction into the visual world $20

Gift Guide for Kids (handmade)

Felted Letters $40-60
Handmade Wooden Sailboat $18
Pentapod Monster $48



Wee Matryoshka Dolls (2) $18
Bamboo Mobile $68
Xylophone $25
Trycicle Print $20
Pencil Roll case $30
Pocket Ninja $10
iPhone wooden toy $9.95

Clementine Art

One of the most exciting kid's products that I've been able to try lately is the gorgeously packaged (really, really gorgeous) items from Clementine Art. They have a nice selection of high quality non-toxic and environmentally friendly items including a gift set for $27 that would be great for the holidays or you can get products individually too.

Kid's Room

Adorable kid's room seen over at Ohdeedoh from Fernanda's Flickr.

Cute Baby Play Blankets ...

... from Pomme.

Frank Lloyd Wright Lego Sets

These are genius! Legos never looked so good.

Falling Water Lego Set
Guggenheim Museum Lego Set

My Red Boots

Very cute vintage French toys at the My Red Boots Etsy shop.

Moomah

Moomah has quickly been added to my must-visit places next time we go to New York City with our daughter. They state on their website it is, "A place of sweet whimsy, wonder and warmth, Moomah is a creative playscape, a cozy cafe, a living classroom, a quiet hideaway, an art oasis, your neighborhood meeting spot. Your favorite place to be together, and a place for your child to simply be." Brilliant, don't you think? Wow -- I wish more places like this existed! Older kids can even play around online with this online art project. Genius. How many of you New Yorkers have been to Moomah?

(via Swiss Miss)

The Duchess of Whimsy

This is clearly one of the best new children's fairy tales that I've seen lately, and I happy to receive a review copy to share with you readers. The Duchess of Whimsy is an enchanting tale by a husband and wife team (Randall de Sève and Peter de Sève) that seamlessly blends together a whimsical story with gorgeous illustrations.

The story is about a Duchess who behaves in a very fanciful way, eating only the best food and surrounding herself with the best of people and things, -- the life of the party type of gal. The Earl of Norm adores her and does everything he can to get her attention, but she thinks of him as nothing -- simply too ordinary. I don't want to spoil the ending, but lets just say that when the Earl of Norm makes her the perfect grilled cheese sandwich, they unite in their passion for melted cheese and the rest is history.

It is a very clever, charming, and foodie lover tale, based on an original love story that makes me smile with delight. It has a an elegant French Versailles like feel to it and there is even a part where a pig is sniffing out truffles in the forest! Talk about elevating young children's food knowledge -- love that. It is nice to know that there are well done and new whimsical children's book options like this out there. It is published by Philomel Books - Penguin Young Readers and you can find it here. A great gift idea!